18 May 2009

Valerie Vili wins in Brazil

8:55 am on 18 May 2009

Valerie Vili has broken her national and Commonwealth shot put record in winning at the first of three meetings in Brazil with a throw of 20.69 metres.

The world champion won gold at the Olympics with a throw of 20.56 .

The Beijing silver medalist in Beijing Natalia Mikhnevich of Belarus was second with a throw of 19.40, well below her personal best of 20.70.

Vili's coach Kirsten Hellyer says they have some firm goals for this year as they prepare for the World Championships in August in Berlin and topping 21 metres is one of them.